Growing up, I was introduced to God by my grandmother. She took me to church with her. As a young girl, I started noticing that my life was different. Some of my friends lived with their biological mothers and fathers; I did not. I would use my pain as an excuse to be unhappy. In 2015, I found myself in a relationship that I had no business being in. Not only was there a 1,500 miles distance, but also, I was continuously lying to my parents and doing everything to keep this relationship going. I ended up getting hurt and carried a lot of resentment because of it.

After about 6 weeks of severe depression, my mom decided to send me to CTS 2016. I attended This Wild Life last year and had my first connection with God. But, as we all know, there are pits that we fall into even after reaching peaks. The past came back to haunt me mentally. I can't explain why, but I could not stop thinking about my failed relationship. I tried diluting my pain by focusing on getting back into another relationship. I would ask, "Why do I still feel the pain of the past?"

One night, God spoke to me. He said "I would not take you out of a relationship physically, just to keep you in it mentally and emotionally." God spoke to me through amazing people, Marissa and Brynna at camp, which lead to my baptism. I am so grateful for the opportunity I was given. I’ve learned that I cannot do things on my own. I need God’s help. I am happier, more hopeful and I see the world in a brighter light. The happiness that I thought I would never achieve has been given to me through him.